Tamper-evident plunger-hold-down attachment for pump dispenser

Abstract

The attachment comprises a cylinder-embracing support portion at least partly encircling the upper end of the pump cylinder and having openings therein receiving hooks on the cylinder. Unitary with the support portion is a plunger hold-down portion which engages the upper end of the actuator portion of the plunger. The attachment has a tamper-evident frangible zone located between the cylinder-embracing support portion and the engagement with the actuator portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluid dispensing pump having a container cap for mounting the pump on the neck of a container of fluid to be dispensed, the pump comprising a cylinder extending through the cap and rotatably secured thereto, the cylinder having spaced outward hooks at the upper end thereof, reciprocable hollow plunger means projecting into the cylinder and having at its upper end an actuator portion formed with a discharge outlet through which fluid is expelled upon reciprocation of the plunger means, a tamper-evident attachment comprising a cylinder-embracing support portion at least partly encircling the cylinder and having openings therein receiving the hooks respectively, and a plunger means hold-down portion unitary with the cylinder-embracing support portion and extending upward therefrom and engaging the actuator portion and holding the plunger means down, the plunger means hold-down portion having a frangible zone located between the cylinder-embracing support portion and the engagement with the actuator portion. 
     
     
       2. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tamper-evident attachment is a unitary molded element and the support portion is a C-shaped clip partly surrounding the upper end of the cylinder and having spaced openings therein partially defined by inward ledges beneath the openings, the ledges engaging the outward hooks. 
     
     
       3. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plunger means hold-down portion is an arm extending from a juncture with the C-shaped clip upward along one side of the actuator portion, over the upper end of actuator portion and in engagement therewith. 
     
     
       4. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 3 wherein the arm terminates in a downward rib extending down an opposite side of the actuator portion. 
     
     
       5. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 4 wherein the frangible zone is at the juncture and comprises a line of perforations. 
     
     
       6. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 5 wherein the arm meets the C-shaped clip inward from outer periphery of the. C-shaped clip and the arm is tapered into the C-shaped clip at the juncture. 
     
     
       7. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cylinder-embracing support portion comprises a pair of spaced opposed inwardly facing arcuate pads, each having openings therein receiving the respective hooks at the upper end of the cylinder. 
     
     
       8. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 7 wherein the plunger means hold-down portion comprises an inverted U-shaped arch, having downward legs with lower ends connected respectively to the arcuate pads. 
     
     
       9. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 8 wherein the frangible zone comprises two lines of perforations at junctures between the arcuate pads and the legs of the arches respectively. 
     
     
       10. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 2 wherein the actuator portion has a lateral spout containing the discharge outlet and the plunger means hold-down portion is a loop having two lower ends, both unitary with the C-shaped clip at spaced points, the loop arching up over the spout and engaging a top surface thereof. 
     
     
       11. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 10 wherein the frangible zone is a line of perforations located at a juncture between at least one of the lower ends and the C-shaped clips. 
     
     
       12. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 10 wherein the frangible zone is two lines of perforations located at respective junctures between the lower ends and the C-shaped clip. 
     
     
       13. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator portion has a lateral spout containing the discharge outlet and the plunger means hold-down portion is a strap unitary at one end with the cylinder-embracing support portion and having at the other end a plug received into the discharge outlet to comprise the engagement with the actuator portion. 
     
     
       14. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 13 wherein the cylinder-embracing support portion is circular and has openings therein partly defined by ledges beneath the openings, the ledges engaging the outward hooks. 
     
     
       15. A fluid dispensing pump as claimed in claim 13 wherein the frangible zone is at said one end of the strap. 
     
     
       16. A unitary tamper-evident attachment for a pump dispenser defined by a cylinder having outward hooks at the upper end thereof and plunger means in the cylinder, the attachment comprising a cylinder-embracing support portion having openings adapted to receive respectively the hooks to mount the attachment on the upper end of the cylinder and a plunger means hold-down portion adapted to engage the plunger means and hold it down in the cylinder, the attachment being formed with a frangible zone by which at least a part of the attachment may be broken away from the dispenser to free the plunger means.